Featured Videos

Letters: The best and worst of the government

In the past 24 hours, I have seen the best and worst of our government.

On Thursday, May 10, I watched in amazement as the Floresville City Council, despite our input against the sports complex at this time, voted 3-2 to continue the process of issuing “Obligation of Debt” paperwork.

This process will put over $1,700,000 tax burden on Floresville. Wow, is that arrogance to go ahead against the will of We the People?

The next day, Friday, May 11, (yes, in Bexar County) at about 9:45 a.m., I was put into a pool of 62 potential jurors to report to the 227th District Court of Judge Philip Kazen Jr. We lined up in the hallway in numeric order on the basement level. I was No. 48. We moved up to the second floor -- don’t forget your number, we need to stay in numeric order. We were moved down the hall. The bailiff told us he’d be back in 15 minutes. (In Bexar County time, that equates to 30-45 minutes).

We’re moved down the hall again, stay in order. Wow, what a pain! Wait 15 more minutes; don’t forget your number so we can enter the court in order. Sit in the hallway, stand in the hallway, read your book, talk to No. 47 and No. 49 (she could easily remember she was No. 49; she was born in 1949). Wait 15-20 more minutes. Expand conversation group, No. 52 was 52 years old.

Finally about 12:45 p.m. we were released to get lunch. Wow, did that burger taste good after sitting on the cold marble floor! We’re basically back in line at 1:40 p.m. as requested, what’s a number now? We’re all talking to each other, young and old, black, white, pink, purple, and green. Sharing stories but mostly wondering why we’ve been tied up all this time in the hallway.

At 2:15, we’re finally led into the courtroom, needless to say, in numeric order! Presiding judge, Philip Kazen Jr., explains to us the reason for the protracted stay in the hallway.

In those hours, the 62 of us managed to allow him to get five cases off the backlogged list of court cases!

Wow, look what We the People did!

The Judge explained to us a new process is being used to expedite court cases to allow defendants to get their day in court. Wow, We the People proved to those defendants that we were ready to give them their time in court.

In short, Judge Kazen went on to commend us for service to our county and our court system. Wow, he said that this was our court system; he is just the Judge Presiding.

He went on to tell us ... the last and worst case was a 20-plus-count indictment against someone for aggravated sexual abuse of a child. Apparently, when the defendant saw the 62 of us waiting in the hallway to give him his day in court, he pled guilty!

Wow, in less than 24 hours from: We the People are told by the Floresville City Council that our opinions don’t count. You elected us but “we, the council” can decide what to do with your money to You provided to your county and your legal system the ability to protect your rights as citizens.

I’m so glad to know that I’m not dumbfounded by the city council, that this is supposed to be our government.